Panthers end Roosters finals hopes

The Panthers looked dangerous early, with Maurice Blair crossing in the fourth minute, exposing a weakness that the Roosters would be unable to plug all night. After a penalty goal put the Panthers up 8-0, the Roosters struck back with Amos Roberts crossing in the corner after 20 minutes.

The Panthers restored their eight point lead with Jarrod Sammut scoring his first try in first grade, and the lead was extended to 20-6 with the Roosters left side defence conceding yet another try.

The Panthers all but sealed the match just after half time as Maurice Blair crossed for his second, again through the Roosters right side. A penalty goal put the Panthers up by 20. With 12 minutes to go John Williams scored an 80 metre try to give the Roosters a chance. Another penalty goal with seven minutes to go ensured there would be no miracle escape from the Roosters, despite late tries to Anthony Tupou and Braith Anasta.

10 min: PENALTY GOAL Penrith Panthers
The Roosters are penalised for a high tackle and Gordon adds the two points from 25 out, almost right in front.
Penrith Panthers 8-0

13 min: Paea loses the ball on the first tackle off a penalty.

15 min: An absolute tonne of penalties tonight, the Roosters give another one away as they work their way out of their own end. 6 penalties tonight in only 15 minutes.

17 min: Gower puts in a cross field bomb and O'Halloran clips the ball before it rolls harmlessly to touch in-goal.

18 min: The Roosters pick up a goal line drop out.

20 min: VIDEO REF - For a Roosters try...

20 min: NO TRY - Roosters
Wing puts in a grubber kick and everyone misses it first time, finally O'Halloran barely grounds the ball before Amos Roberts puts his hand on the ball, claiming a try. The Roosters get a goal line drop out.

21 min: VIDEO REF - For a Roosters try (again!)...

21 min: TRY Sydney Roosters
The Roosters move the ball to Perrett who throws a fine pass to put Amos Roberts over in the corner. Conversion attempt by Craig Fitzgibbon successful, and the kick is a ripper to bring up 1200 career points for the Roosters.
Penrith Panthers 8-6

23 min: The Roosters make an error and the Panthers go on attack from 10 out.

24 min: The Roosters hold out and take the Panthers kick on the full in the in-goal.

26 min: The Panthers get a goal line drop out following a superb bomb directed at Amos Roberts.

27 min: TRY Penrith Panthers
Sammut bursts into a gap and scores to the right of the posts. Conversion attempt by Michael Gordon successful.
Penrith Panthers 14-6

29 min: Penrith making plenty of easy metres on the Roosters, and Perrett spills another Panthers bomb.

31 min: TRY Penrith Panthers
The Panthers score just about their easiest try tonight. They go to the right again, Blair draws the winger and Gordon simply needed to fall over the line to score, right by the corner post. Conversion attempt by Michael Gordon successful.
Penrith Panthers 20-6

39 min: The Roosters go on attack, and Gordon knocks down the last pass to save a try.

40 min: VIDEO REF - For a Roosters try...

40 min: NO TRY - Fitzgibbon is barely beaten to the ball by the Penrith defence, and the Roosters have 52 seconds following a goal line drop out.

40 min: Tupou knocks on and the Panthers will carry a 14 point lead into the break.

42 min: TRY Penrith Panthers
After another Roosters mistake, the Panthers move the ball right to Blair who this time does not need to pass to Gordon to stroll over out wide. The Roosters are very much gone for 2007. Conversion attempt by Michael Gordon unsuccessful.
Penrith Panthers 24-6

45 min: The Roosters go on attack off a Panthers error - only their second incomplete set.

51 min: Puletua is held up in the in goal, but the Panthers are hot on attack.

57 min: The Panthers hold out with the Roosters looking certain to score, but the Chooks pick up a drop out.